The U.S. Census is a costly beast to maintain when paper is involved, multiply the 2010 census $ 96 per household by millions of households and governments feel the pain. When the mandate is to keep spending under control for the study in 2020, it is almost a surprise that the Census Bureau says

Washington Post

counting on Internet for the next decadal survey after small-scale trials. The proposed measure is much more than simply reduce the costs of long forms and stamps, however. While frugality is the main goal, joining the modern era should also reduce the need for oversight - the Office know as soon as we did, after all. There is no doubt that an online survey is overcome when the U.S. government bands (and society) and the traditional paperwork can jump, but still appreciate having a tentative schedule for one of the last great digital transitions.

[Image Source: USDA, Flickr]